How to Connect a Light Switch to a Light Fixture

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1. 1

   Decide where you want to place your switch. Generally wall switches are on the right-hand side, a few feet/metres past the door opening. Go around your house and measure the height of other switches. 60" or 1.5m from the floor is common.

2. 2

   Always turn off the power to the fixture. If there are other people in the home, always tell them that you have turned off the power, or leave a note on the breaker/fuse box so someone doesn't accidentally turn it.^{[1] [2]}

3. 3

   Measure the distance from your fixture to the location of your new switch...always add an extra 12" or 30 centimeter (11.8 in) to your measurement - it's always better to have too much electrical wire than not enough.

4. 4

   Check your fixture with a power tester to ensure that there is no power. Remove the black (or "hot") wire only. Leave the white (or "neutral") and any ground (green or bare) wires on the fixture.^[3]

5. 5

   Strip 2"/5 centimeter (2.0 in) of the plastic sheathing from the end of the black and white wires.

6. 6

   Connect the black wire from the electrical cable with the black wire you just removed from your fixture. Always use screw-on wire connectors..never use electrical tape. Ensure that the connection is tight.^[4]

7. 7

   Using a black marker, "re-code" the white wire from your electrical cable to black. Mark on the plastic sheathing with a permanent marker so that anyone will know this is now a "hot" wire.^[5]

8. 8

   Connect your re-coded "hot" wire to the fixture. You should now have a white and re-coded black wire on your fixture.

9. 9

   At your new wall switch, pull all the wires through the back of the electrical box. Strip black and white wires as in step 5. Connect the ground wire to the electrical box itself (there should be a screw at the back or side of the box).

10. 10

    You will need to re-code the white wire as a "hot" wire with a marker, as in step 7. ^[6]

11. 11

    Screw the black wire to the top screw on your switch. This will be the top of your switch.

12. 12

    Screw your newly re-coded second "hot" wire (white) to the bottom screw. Ensure that both screws are secure and screw the switch into the electrical box. Do not attach the cover until you check that everything functions correctly

13. 13

    Flick the switch to the "off" position, then turn on power to the fixture.

14. 14

    Test that your new switch works. If it does not, double check that you have not turned off the fixture from the chain/cord.

15. 15

    You should always leave the light"on" at the chain/cord in order to have full control from the wall switch. You can still use the chain, however this defeats the purpose of having a wall switch.

16. 16

    Provided everything works, you can close up your light fixture and attach a switch plate cover.

Add New Question

• Question

  How can I add a pull cord to overhead lighting?

  

  You will have to replace the existing fixture with one that includes a pull cord.

• Question

  I replaced an old outlet from 2 prong to a 3 prong. I replaced the wires exactly haw it was on the old outlet, but my tester reads "hot/neutral reversed." How do I fix this?

  

  Daverwaterloo

  Community Answer

  The new outlet may be in a different configuration from the old one. New outlets have a left side that has a wider slot than the right side. The wider (left) slot is the neutral (white), while the narrower (right) side is the hot wire (black). Generally the hot side has a brass screw and the neutral side has a silver screw. You'll need to reverse the wires on the back of the outlet.

• Question

  The overhead light in my dining room does not turn on after adding new light bulbs. How do I diagnose where the problem is?

  

  Daverwaterloo

  Community Answer

  Will it turn on if you remove and/or replace the new bulbs? If so, you just have a defective bulb. If not, there may be a short somewhere in the circuit. To diagnose this, remove the light switch and ensure all the connections are tight and not touching other wires or the electrical box. If the switch is okay, check the light fixture that all the wiring is attached securely and not touching other wires.

• Question

  Is a new light switch necessary?

  

  Daverwaterloo

  Community Answer

  Not if you don't mind manually turning the light on and off directly at the fixture. Most people find it easier and more convenient if they can switch on a ceiling light fixture from a wall switch, especially at night.

• Question

  The fixture is looped to another outlet. How do I add the switch without causing the outlet to be switched as well?

  

  Daverwaterloo

  Community Answer

  Are you sure it is looped to an outlet, not another light fixture? Most homes are wired with the wall outlets on separate circuits from lighting. If this is the case, you can't add a switch without switching the outlet as well.

• Question

  I wired the new switch using the same color wires and now the light just stays on. What did I do wrong?

  

  Turn off the light with the chain. Now you can turn the light on or off with the wall switch.

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Video

• To attach a wire to a screw, bend the bare wire to the left and slip it over the screw. When you tighten the screw, it will pull the wire down.

• An electrical tester is a good addition to any toolbox. They are inexpensive and can be bought at any home improvement/hardware store. Attach one probe to each wire...if the tester glows..the line is "hot", if not, the power has been turned off.

• Before you attach wires with a screw-on connector, twist the wires together with pliers.

• Needle-nosed pliers and a wire stripper are handy tools to have in your toolbox for doing any electrical work. They are also inexpensive and will save you time and allow you work "like a pro".

• Make sure you always use the proper connector on the electrical box to secure the wires in place. With the connector in place, feed the wires through and secure them with attached clamp.

• Ensure that it is legal in your country/state to do your own electrical work. If you are at all unsure, get a licensed electrician to do any electrical work in your home.

• Always do any electrical work carefully and neatly. Double check all connections are tight.

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How to Connect a Light Switch to a Light Fixture

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Add-a-Wall-Switch-to-Light-Fixture-Controlled-by-a-Chain

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